Wait

God tells us to wait in many ways. The question, though, is whether or not we’ll pick up on what He’s trying to say.

When you couldn’t get your foot in the stirrup and there was nobody to give you a leg up, it might have been God’s way of saying you weren’t meant to go horseback riding.

And maybe it was only after your credit card was rejected you realized you couldn’t afford that sweater after all.

The book you wanted at the library was unavailable so you chose a different book, one that made a difference in your parenting.

Or your car broke down on your way to a hang-gliding lesson that might have been deadly due to an unexpected storm.

Maybe it was simply an uneasy feeling as you were about to share a deep secret that prompted you to shut your mouth.

God speaks to us, guides us, and protects us in so many ways. Sometimes we have no option but to change course. Other times, though, He gives us a choice. And this is where we need to cling to Him, to pray and seek His guidance. We need to listen, as I should have back in 1977.

I had started down the aisle when the train of my gown got caught on a nail in the doorway of the chapel. I couldn’t move towards my groom until the wedding director set me free. She wanted everything to go without a hitch as much as I wanted to finish what I had started.

So, I got married.

Within a few short years filled with millions of tears, I learned that my parents and my best friend never thought Jim was right for me; they knew the marriage was a mistake.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We didn’t think you would listen,” was their response. God didn’t choose to force my closest people to be His mouthpiece. He resorted to something far simpler: a nail. But that didn’t stop me.

The marriage ended in divorce but three years later, I married George. Our marriage has weathered the storms and lasted over thirty years, giving us beautiful children and grandchildren.

I’m thankful that in spite of our tendency to not listen, in spite of our mistakes, God still accomplishes His purposes for us.

“…and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NIV

He has worked good in my life even though I have often failed to hear.

I’m happy to report I’ve become a much better listener in my old age. Now, if I can just learn to be thankful for all those nails….